May 13, 201411 yr David Cameron has dismissed calls for Gary Barlow to return his OBE, following reports of the singer using a tax avoidance scheme. Margaret Hodge, chair of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, had stated that Barlow "might show a bit of contrition by giving back his OBE". Barlow, his Take That bandmates Mark Owen and Howard Donald and their manager Jonathan Wild were recently revealed to be among around 1,000 people who put money into schemes said to be supporting the music industry. However, it was later ruled that the partnerships were actually created for tax avoidance purposes. Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Cameron said that Barlow has done a "huge amount" for charity over the years, but that he is against "aggressive tax avoidance schemes". He said: "If people go after these schemes and aggressively avoid tax they're making it the case that everyone else has to pay higher taxes as a result. "We should be very clear: tax evasion is illegal, you can be prosecuted for that, you can go to prison. "Tax avoidance is, in these cases, these very aggressive tax avoidance schemes. They are wrong and we should really persuade people not to do them, and that's why we have these court cases where the court looks at whether a scheme is more about avoiding tax than anything else." When asked whether Barlow should return his OBE, he said: "I don't think that is necessary, frankly. "Gary Barlow has done a huge amount for the country, he's raised money for charity, he has done very well for Children in Need. The OBE was in respect of that work and what he has done. "Clearly this scheme was wrong and it is right that they're going to have to pay back the money." Barlow, Donald, Owen and Wild could face having to pay millions of pounds between them. The scheme members have until July 2 to decide if they want to appeal.
May 13, 201411 yr Today's Daily Mail by Janet Street Porter. [Mr Patriotic? No, Gary Barlow's as bad as Starbucks. Gary Barlow, all-round decent bloke or shameless tax-evader? One of the best barometers of public opinion is my favourite telly programme, Channel 4’s Gogglebox. Last Friday, the Goggleboxers delivered their unanimous verdict on the nauseating exercise in self-promotion, BBC1’s When Corden Met Barlow. ‘Are these two blokes in love, or what?’ was the general consensus; although there wasn’t a dry eye in the house for the finale when Gary turned up unannounced and sang at a fan’s wedding. That’s the problem with Gary — he’s so nice. It’s hard to criticise someone this newspaper’s TV reviewer called ‘The Cliff Richard of the 21st century’; a man’s who’s ‘gone from porky popster to national treasure’. But criticise I must. Gary is not what he seems — he and two of his pals in Take That (Mark Owen and Howard Donald) and their manager Jonathan Wild invested a whopping £66 million in Icebreaker Management (with Gary the largest investor of the band members). It was purported to be a scheme helping others in the music industry, but a judge has ruled it was simply an illegal way of avoiding tax. As a result, Gary and co have to pay between £20 million and £30 million in tax — money which would fund plenty of nurses and carers to look after our ageing population. It could pay for free school dinners. It could help refurbish classrooms. It would buy back playing fields and pay for musical instruments. But it has taken a court case to extract this cash. Gary flaunts his high-profile patriotism (he collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber on the anthem Sing for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012), was awarded an OBE (which I don’t think stands for Order for Big Evasion) for his charity work, and was reckoned to be on his way to a knighthood. He can forget that now, along with invites to sing for his Royal chums. He is said to be considering an appeal — and the band could even go back on tour to fund their fine — but it’s doubtful that Robbie Williams (who didn’t invest in the scheme) would be keen, as his wife is pregnant with their second child. The BBC has been endlessly trumpeting Gary Barlow, we’ve had Gary Barlow days and now this latest exercise in sycophancy with James Corden, to promote Gary’s new album — but the fact remains, Gary didn’t want to pay the right level of tax, and used financial advisers to exploit every loophole. Gary is no better than Starbucks, Google and Amazon — all of whom pay as little tax as possible on their huge profits. Amazon paid just £4.2 million in Corporation tax in the UK last year on UK sales of £4.3 billion — that’s just 0.1 per cent. We live in a two-tier society as far as tax is concerned — now, HMRC wants new powers to access the bank accounts of anyone owning more than £1,000. The only proviso is that the account is more than £5,000 in credit. This is an outrageous invasion of privacy — tax dodgers would simply move the money from one account to another and our tax laws are already so complicated that the system is easy to exploit if you have the money to pay for expensive accountants. That’s why the latest Rich List shows we have more billionaires living in the UK than any other country in the world. It’s not because they like Chelsea football club, our weather or the monarchy — it’s because they can have a nice house and pay less tax than almost anywhere else. MPs want our tax laws simplified, and I agree. There are said to be 100,000 letters to HMRC lying unanswered, calls are not returned and the organisation is not fit for purpose. The current situation means that the poorest end up paying the highest proportion of their earning to the taxman, while millionaires such as Gary Barlow pay as little as possible. Outraged taxpayers boycotted Starbucks — so what will Gary’s loyal fans do now? Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/artic ... z31ZgTd4nX Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
May 13, 201411 yr As someone indifferent to Mr Barlow I'm happy for him to keep his OBE, it's tarnished anyway. I do feel he is a hypocrite fronting charity campaigns and high profile events while avoiding paying his dues. Only a someone very naive or deluded would believe he entered the scheme in total innocence. His silence speaks volumes. There's no doubt his a solo album sales are largely down to his elevated status to 'national treasure' and the promo slots he's been given on the back of it. I hope he isn't given such opportunities for self promo in the future but I won't hold my breath.
May 13, 201411 yr I would strongly argue his solo album sales came down to people actually liking and enjoying the music. I certainly bought it because i liked the music and i certainly bought it for no other reason.
May 13, 201411 yr We'll have to agree to differ. As a long standing fan you are bound to like his music but he's failed to have solo success before his elevated status. I've listened to the album and tend to agree with the many poor reviews. No doubt GB is good at writing rousing anthemic radio friendly TT hits but his own solo material and writing for other solo artists falls way below that benchmark in my opinion.
May 13, 201411 yr We'll have to agree to differ. As a long standing fan you are bound to like his music but he's failed to have solo success before his elevated status. I've listened to the album and tend to agree with the many poor reviews. No doubt GB is good at writing rousing anthemic radio friendly TT hits but his own solo material and writing for other solo artists falls way below that benchmark in my opinion. A #1 album, 2 #1 singles and a further couple of top #15 hits including a top 10 would suggest success before this 'elevated status' you speak of Edited May 13, 201411 yr by jay727
May 13, 201411 yr A #1 album, 2 #1 singles and a further couple of top #15 hits including a top 10 would suggest success before this 'elevated status' you speak of The sales have been nowhere near his current album. In fact his second album was a flop. You'll be telling me next that people rushed out last week to buy his album because they like his music not because they were sucked in to the Corden/ Barlow lovefest. He would not have been afforded such promo if it wasn't for his elevated status.
May 13, 201411 yr As someone indifferent to Mr Barlow I'm happy for him to keep his OBE, it's tarnished anyway. I do feel he is a hypocrite fronting charity campaigns and high profile events while avoiding paying his dues. Only a someone very naive or deluded would believe he entered the scheme in total innocence. His silence speaks volumes. There's no doubt his a solo album sales are largely down to his elevated status to 'national treasure' and the promo slots he's been given on the back of it. I hope he isn't given such opportunities for self promo in the future but I won't hold my breath. I agree with you Truly about the OBE! As you say - its tainted now anyway. BIB - I too hope that he is not seen fronting any charity events (televised ones anyway - the only kind he seems interested in) but like you - I won't hold my breath.
May 13, 201411 yr I'll give you 3 guesses. You'll only need 1 It was a joke! I didn't expect an apology or anything from you Jay! You're too like your hero to offer one - there's a whiff of arrogance about you! I can't believe I used to be a Take That fan! I even went to one of their concerts AFTER the Cameron campaigning (mind you - it was Robbie's solo set that stole the show for me - so it was worth it). Oh and Jay - contrary to your post of 20/06/12 - I think you'll find that what Take That did was equally as bad, if not worse than what Jimmy Carr did! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebrityn...-avoidance.html In March 2010, they put £5.2m of their own money in a partnership called Larkdale LLP and borrowed a further £20.8m. According to the newspaper, records show Larkdale registered a loss of £25.2m in April 2010, which was “available for discretionary division among members”. The scheme was discovered by the Times investigation after a representative of specialist tax mitigation company Mulbury Hamilton marketed it.” Anyway - I'm not going to post on the matter any more - not here anyway - I find you and some other posters a trifle tiresome - you challenge nothing! I'm just glad that something has come up to embarrass Barlow and hopefully go some way to wipe that self-satisfied grin off his face! Edited May 13, 201411 yr by Kath
May 13, 201411 yr Last weeks sales were boosted due to the Cordon show but the album had sold 625,000 copies prior to that show airing. Indeed, his elevated status has helped but that did not come from sitting on his backside either, elevated status comes after some extremely hard work. It is totally understandable that people are mad about the tax dodging and rightly so, if it is something that annoys you. If it doesn't annoy you that is equally fine, i believe the same could be said without about his music. Reviews match some people's opinions and they don't match others. I have said before that i feel it is a great album and i enjoy it but there is no song on it as strong as Lie to Me from his flop album 12 months 11 days. His tax dodging should not not change peoples minds about the music. If you liked the music before all this I simply cant understand why good songs suddenly turn bad.
May 13, 201411 yr His tax dodging should not not change peoples minds about the music. If you liked the music before all this I simply cant understand why good songs suddenly turn bad. You're missing the point entirely, no one has ever said changing opinion about his music after the news. This thread is about the robbery he is accused of, not about his music. People who like his music will keep liking his music, but from now on they know they should download his music illegaly :kink: And anyway I don't get how you can be ok with what he did. The money he stole was supposed to help the people with social, medical and educational services: that's what the taxes are for! Edited May 13, 201411 yr by Hayzayy
May 13, 201411 yr The politicians up and down the country are corrupt and always were, a music star joining the list does not phase me as it is something i have accepted many moons ago. Can you honestly say you would not attempt the same thing if you were in the situation? We all work for money and the more we can get we take it, what makes Gary or anyone else any different?
May 13, 201411 yr The politicians up and down the country are corrupt and always were, a music star joining the list does not phase me as it is something i have accepted many moons ago. Can you honestly say you would not attempt the same thing if you were in the situation? We all work for money and the more we can get we take it, what makes Gary or anyone else any different? I was not going to comment further but can't ignore the old chestnut it's ok cos he's not the only one doing it. Yes he's taking the most flack but that's because he's robbing the services he's sanctimoniously called upon ordinary people to support. He's a greedy hypocrite! How much money does he need! So many celebs do charity work quietly behind the scenes Barlow has carried out his in the full glare of publicity and benefited financially from it.
May 13, 201411 yr The politicians up and down the country are corrupt and always were, a music star joining the list does not phase me as it is something i have accepted many moons ago. Can you honestly say you would not attempt the same thing if you were in the situation? We all work for money and the more we can get we take it, what makes Gary or anyone else any different? Your whole post is disgusting. :/ No, not everyone would do the same thing, some people have good morals. Sorry if it's not your case. And the worst thing is that he's always acting like Mr Perfect with his Queen Jubilee and stuff, and the minute after he's robbing the country. Awful man.
May 13, 201411 yr I can accept that any fan will continue to support him but not to try and make out he's done nothing wrong.
May 13, 201411 yr Don't let the door hit you on your way out Kath I think that's the expression you used on several people who disagreed with you. I remember you being particularly disgusting with Iris here a few years back. No wonder you love Barlow so much - you're equally as disgusting. Oh a funny before I go - but I may actually come back - your ludicrousness actually has me - :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Besides - if it annoys you even in the least - it makes me happy! David Cameron has been taken to hospital with a severe case of piles - sorry - false alarm - it was Gary Barlow's nose up his arse! :lol:
May 13, 201411 yr His tax dodging should not not change peoples minds about the music. If you liked the music before all this I simply cant understand why good songs suddenly turn bad. Good songs don't turn bad Pippa but people's behaviour should be taken into consideration when regarding them as a person. Even though I now believe that Gary Barlow has proven himself to be a hypocritical, greedy, self-serving toady - I still appreciate that some of his songs are very, very good (his Take That ones anyway). However - I would NEVER purchase anything by him again - even if it was good. As David Cameron said about Jimmy Carr when his tax avoidance was made news 'People have worked hard, and paid good money to go to his concerts ..... etc, etc' ... can you tell me where the difference is between Carr's activities and Gary's? Jimmy Carr does heaps of charity work (he just doesn't flaunt it like Gary does his) did that let him off the hook when Cameron was laying into him? Carr was front page news from the day it happened for weeks after - Gary's activities were consigned to the middle pages of the newspapers and seems to have disappeared altogether now - swept conveniently under the carpet. I mean - I LOATHE Jim Davidson - but he's done tons, tons of work entertaining the troops - and he did it all without a television crew there to film it. Edited May 13, 201411 yr by Kath
